**
When:
Mar 2009 (annual)
Where:
Wat Bang Phra
Wat Bang Phra is home to monks famous for their artistic skills with sharp metal skewers. Once a year, men flock to brand themselves indelibly, or top up their existing body art.
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The inks used here are thought to have special "protecting" qualities due to their unusual (and magical) ingredients. Human chin fat? Perhaps. This is said to give the tattoos a potency that makes them particularly popular amongst Thais with dangerous jobs. All this amounts to a lot of half-naked men sporting ancient symbols, tigers and dragons intricately scrolled over backs and arms.
As the day wears on, participants begin to mumble and crawl about in states of trance, wailing, clawing and finally heading - enthusiastically - for the head monk. He stops chanting and hoses them all down with water, signalling the last of the day's blessings.
Although only men can be tattooed and blessed during this festival, families do attend and there are food stalls and games.
As the day wears on, participants begin to mumble and crawl about in states of trance, wailing, clawing and finally heading - enthusiastically - for the head monk. He stops chanting and hoses them all down with water, signalling the last of the day's blessings.
Although only men can be tattooed and blessed during this festival, families do attend and there are food stalls and games.
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Event details can change.
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